Sacrament of Holy Orders
Sacrament of Holy Orders
Catholic men who are eligible to serve as a deacon or priest and feel an attraction or calling to serve the Church are welcome to contact our pastor. Having spent some time in vocations work, he is happy to assist in discerning a possible calling. Please call the office (301-539-3903) to make an appointment.
Please also visit the following websites for more information on discerning a vocation to the priesthood or permanent diaconate.
Fishers Of Men:
Prayer to Know My Vocation
My Lord and my God, you are Love itself, the source of all love and goodness. Out of love you created me to know you, to love you, and to serve you in a unique way, as no one else can. I believe that you have a plan for my life, that you have a mission in your Kingdom reserved for me alone. Your plan and your mission are far better than any other I might choose: they will glorify you, fulfill the desires of my heart, and bring salvation to those souls who are depending on my generous response. Lord grant me the light of grace I need to see the next step in Your plan; grant me the generosity necessary to follow your call; and grant me the courage required to take up my cross and to follow you. Show me your will, O gentle and eternal God, and help me to say with Mary, “I am the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.” Let me say with Jesus, “Let not my will be done, but yours.” Amen.
Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life
Almighty and merciful Father, you inspire and bring to fulfillment every good intention. Guide your people in the way of salvation and watch over those who shepherd your flock and those who have left all things to follow you. Raise up worthy ministers for your altars, ardent but gentle servants of the Gospel, and generous souls who renounce worldly power and profit to serve you and their brothers and sisters faithfully in the spirit of poverty and humility. Inspire our young men and women to respond to your call so that your Church might always rejoice in plentiful servants for your harvest. We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.